Reso 2016-165 - Laserfiche WebLink

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WEST SAN LEANDRO SHUTTLE BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT ANNUAL REPORT FY 2016-17 Annual Report Background In 2000, the City of San Leandro evaluated the feasibility of implementing a commuter shuttle service connecting west San Leandro employment sites with the San Leandro BART station. Based on the results of that study, the San Leandro Transportation Management Organization (SLTMO) and a Business Improvement District (BID) were formed to provide management and funding for the LINKS Shuttle program. The SLTMO is a 5016 non-profit corporation governed by a Board of Directors that includes representation from businesses included in the BID and the City of San Leandro. The LINKS Shuttle service provides free transportation from the San Leandro BART station, the industrial area west of I-880, and the Marina Blvd. corridor. Oversight of the BID is conducted by the West San Leandro Shuttle Business Improvement District Advisory Board (Advisory Board). The five to seven member Advisory Board includes two City staff designees and three to five business representatives. The Advisory Board's duties include annual review of the LINKS performance for submission to the City Council. The Ordinance authorizing the BID also provides that the City Council may increase the annual BID assessment in an amount not to exceed the increase of the Consumer Price Index as part of its review of the annual report. BID Renewal In December 2014, the Business Improvement District was re -authorized for 15 -years and the LINKS service area was expanded. The BID fee was restructured from a base fee per business plus a flat fee per employee, to a single per employee flat fee. The new fee structure is simpler and more equitable for small businesses and the BID was reauthorized with less than 4% protest vote. BID fees are collected through the City's business license process and the BID funds approximately half of the LINKS service. Service Enhancements The BID renewal process provided an opportunity to consider service improvements. After outreach to businesses and in-depth work with transportation experts, the LINKS route was divided into two loops and expanded. The updated service started in March 2015. The new north and south loops provide more frequent service with shorter wait times, shorter round-trip rides and connections to businesses that previously could not access LINKS. During this period, the San Leandro Transportation Management Organization (SLTMO) implemented other improvements including updated LINKS branding, new signage, brochure and new website. Over this last year, bus benches were added to stops that did not already have an existing AC Transit bench. All stops now have a bus bench with the exception of one stop where there is not enough room. 3111a -,e